Eulogy for My Hero, Jeanette A. Sereneo

Jeanette was petite and always had a ready smile. Whatever she lacked in height, she made up in personality. Despite difficulties she encountered, she was often positive. She was a go-getter and did not let limitations hinder her. I remember seeing her at one time at the doctor's office. She had an ear infection, had herself examined and drugs prescribed and then told the doctor that she had no money to pay for his services. He had no recourse but to offer them gratis. She got what she needed.

I remember that sometime in 2001, Jeanette found a lump in her breast. The doctor told her that she needed surgery to remove it. The base staff surrounded her and prayed for her healing. The Lord miraculously answered that prayer: the tumor shrunk that the doctor called the surgery off.

A few years after, Jeanette left Cebu to follow her heart. The Lord had given her a burden to reach out to the Mabaca tribe in Abra. She left the comforts of urban life and embraced the people and their lifestyle. She trekked kilometers to where they lived. She ate what they ate (including exotic grubs!) and lived a simple life: fetching water, cooking over wood, doing without electricity. She learned their language and their ways.

When she was with them, she tried to meet their needs. She shared her provisions with those who had none, she cleaned their wounds, she counselled, she comforted, she pastored them. It was not a surprise that she endeared herself to the Mabaca people in such a short time. In my eyes, she was my hero. She embodied everything a humble, faithful servant of God is and would do.

She probably had many needs and prayer requests but I remember only three: she needed a guitar, a horse and a husband. We were leaving for furlough and the boys had guitars that were just going to be in storage. They decided to give one to Jeanette. As for the horse, she did get one and used it not so much to ride on but to carry the supplies she needed from the lowlands. About 2 years ago, the Lord answered her need for a husband in the person of Gerry Sereneo, a Mabaca convert. Gerry had just done a YWAM Discipleship Training School prior to marrying Jeanette. Together they would serve the Lord and continue to minister to the Mabaca tribe.

I remember her wedding vividly because it was so unique. It was held in Cebu and both our girls participated as bridesmaid and flower girl. Instead of flowers, they carried little clay pots with rice stalks. They wore traditional Mabaca clothing and walked down the aisle in bare feet. There was a part when a pastora to the Mabaca did a praise dance. It was a happy day for Jeanette, Gerry and for us who witnessed their union.

About the middle of last year, Jeanette was diagnosed with breast cancer. The tumor was large that she needed chemo in order to shrink it before having a mastectomy. Despite difficulties, Jeanette did well as she went through chemo. Despite Gerry's distraught, Jeanette remained firm in her faith. She was often found worshipping the Lord in song. An outreach team from our Cebu base visited her during this time. I saw a picture of her, without any hair and cooking over a large wok. She was smiling. I marvelled at her strength and good spirits.

Early this year, Jeanette finally had her surgery in Baguio (a few hours away from Bangued) and stayed with our YWAM missionary care staff for recuperation. After the surgery though, she started to feel extreme pain all down her back and had seizures. She was returned to hospital for further tests which revealed that the cancer had spread to her spinal column. The doctors could only prescribe more chemo and radiation. Jeanette was already so weak from the surgery, she knew that she could not survive another round of drugs and treatments. The doctors concurred and told her that there was nothing else they could do. Jeanette was sent home to die.

In her last text, she said that she would go home to Abra and wait until the Lord would "call her home to his palace". She thanked everyone for the love, prayers and support and hoped that they would still extend the same to her husband when she moves on. That is so Jeanette: to the very end, she was thinking of others more than herself.

Needless to say, all these news distressed me. Together with Jeanette and Gerry, we were believing for God's healing miracle. He did it once, could he not do it again? Lucille, our YWAM leader in Cebu had a good perspective. She said the Lord healed Jeanette the first time because he knew that she had a heart for the Mabaca people. She was able to go to Abra and win the village for Christ. The Lord had extended her life so that she could fulfill his purposes through her.

Jeanette lived a life of purpose and the Lord enabled her to accomplish what she could in her lifetime. It wasn't a long life but it was a life that pleased the Lord and brought glory to his name.

The last days of Jeanette's life was difficult. She was in so much pain and even had difficult breathing. These may have silenced her song but I know deep inside her heart, she was still singing praises to the Lord.

When she passed away on Sunday, Feb. 6, I learned about her death in the middle of our worship. I wept as I thanked the Lord for Jeanette and a life well lived; for enriching our lives with hers; for giving Jeanette as a gift to the Mabaca people; for the greater harvest among this tribe because a seed has fallen to the ground and died.

Jeanette no longer suffers. In heaven, her body is whole. There are no more tears. I know with all confidence in my heart that when she entered the Lord's palace gates, she heard the sweet voice of her savior say: Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into your reward.

Well done Jeanette.

Thoughts on Living/ Remembering Xenia

Life has often been likened to a journey. We start on this journey on the day of our birth and we continue on until we pass through the doors of death. Sometimes we think that we have control over how this journey will be. We plan 5 years ahead and set up goals. We say: this year, I will do this and next year, I will do that. We plan on the premise that nothing untoward will happen to us. That everything will be fine and our plans will unfold as we give our best to reach those goals. We never plan to include accidents, illness or even death.

Three years ago on Oct. 29, a doctor in Canada told me that I had breast cancer, that I should see a surgeon immediately and have a mastectomy. All that I had achieved in the past, all my future plans just collapsed before my very eyes. Death which I thought was just a specter on the distant horizon was knocking at my door. He was closer than I thought he was.

This journey with cancer has led me to many byways, detours and dead-ends. On one hand I have faith and trust the Lord for the miracle of healing. On the other hand I tried to do what I could: researching, seeking various treatments options, consulting different doctors. I suffered from pain, lost weight, cried tears of desperation, ate food that gagged me, juices that taste like grass, did enemas, downed multiple supplements, changed my amalgam fillings --- I've done it all.

In the course of my journey, I have met others who are also walking the same road with me. Last April, when I returned to China for my last 2 cycles of chemo, I met Xenia and her mom, Tita Auring. Although a Filipina, Xenia has been living in the US since 2005. She has a wonderful career in computer systems. She was diagnosed with lung cancer 4 years ago. She underwent chemo for that long as well and nothing seemed to work. Her mom, Tita Auring, left everything in the Phils. and went to the US to care for Xenia, her only daughter after having 2 sons. When Xenia read about Fuda Cancer Center, she thought she owed it to her family to give it a shot.

I remember bringing them to our favorite dimsum place. They got tired of the food in the hospital as well and wanted to try sometime different. At the last minute Xenia was not able to join us because they needed to put her on IV so I had lunch with Tita Auring and she brought home some food for Xenia to enjoy.

I also remember sharing with Xenia my disappointment that the chemo meds did not work on me. She replied: Don't worry, they'll find something for you. She was so positive.

When Xenia returned to the US, the doctors there told her that she was worse off than before receiving treatments in China. It seemed like the cancer had spread and was affecting her vocal chords. Her voice was reduced to a whisper. When I heard this news, my heart was heavy. I wrote her an email message talking about putting her trust on the Lord Jesus and the tension of waiting for a miracle and yet, preparing for death. I was able to skype her and I was glad to see her even if I could not hear her. Tita Auring was there to tell me what Xenia wanted to say. I told her that Psalm 91 was a favorite psalm and that I wanted to read it for her. I did so and felt the Lord's compassion for her. I am glad they were encouraged by it. Tita Auring wrote later that they would read the Psalm again and remember me.

This summer, Xenia, her husband and 8 year old daughter had a holiday in Disney World Florida. She said that they could not really afford it but it was worth all the fun they had. Towards the end of their time there, she found herself gasping for breath even after just a few steps. She waited until they returned to Virginia to be admitted in a hospital.

Her situation was getting worse. The doctor wanted her to go back to her first chemo drug which did not work for her. She refused. If it didn't work then, why would it work now. The doctor told her that it could buy her some time. She told her that her body was tired of chemo. The doctor said that if she delayed in making a decision, the decision will be made for her. Xenia understood but she did not want any chemo anymore.

When her cousin asked her how she felt about her situation, she wrote: "It is what it is. I'm still alive so I still have hope. I'm not going to live my life in fear and depression. I have too much to live for. So I live (quite happily, I might add)."

She tried to change her diet but it was just too difficult for her body. She began to lose weight and strength. Then she heard about Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Philadelphia. She was suffering from pain and could not walk when she was admitted.

Tests showed that the cancer had already spread to her brain. Xenia had witnessed her father die from a seizure after being treated for cancer in the brain as well. The news disturbed her to say the least. Her uncle comforted her by telling her that the meds now are different and more effective that those her father took.

In her blog, Xenia wrote: I know that even in the worst circumstances, I am not alone. God is with me in the people around me and in the people who send their love.

On Tuesday, Oct. 27, I received an email from Tita Auring informing all that Xenia passed away on Monday night. She was able to receive the last sacraments and Tita Auring was with her. She was 35.

When I think of Xenia and many others, I know that life is fragile. Someone once said: we are all terminal but only some are lucky to know it. We normally don't live our lives with death in sight. We live as if we will live forever. We make plans for tomorrow but for some of us, we may not have as many tomorrows. In 2009 when my health was at its worst, I thought the door to death was opening for me. By God's grace and mercy, I am still here today but I must admit, that there are times when I find myself looking at the door and wondering when my time will be up.

In light of this, how then should we live? We must live each day fully. Whether you have cancer or not, live today as if it is your last. No time for regrets. No more excuses to do things later or tomorrow. Now is all we have. Regina Brett, author of God Never Blinks wrote: Each day is a precious gift to be savored and used, not left unopened and hoarded for the future that may never come.

How do we live our life fully? Hug a little tighter, love more deeply, forgive more quickly, laugh more readily and live for the Lord totally.

This journey of life will eventually take us home. And when the day comes that the door will be opened, I know it will be a glorious day!